Electric cars have been around since the mid 19th century. They enjoyed popularity until early twentieth century when advances in internal combustion engine technology made it possible for the average person to own a car that is far superior in every single way - cost, range, speed - save one.

Pundits claim that the electric car is environmentally friendly because it runs on electricity and not not fossil fuels. We should thus support the electric car even though it costs more and has less range and speed. But isn't a major percentage of electricity produced from fossil fuels like coal in North America? In the US, around 70% of electricity is generated from coal and natural gas.

So the electric car is essentially a coal powered car. The one main difference between the electric car and the traditional automobile is the release location of the emissions. With the electric car the emissions are released at the power plant where electricity is generated and not where the car is located.

The electric car is no better than the conventional automobile in terms of its eco-friendliness. Check out this interview of Vinod Khosla. He echoes the same point of view at the 28 minute mark.